Open in TheBrain

Fall Curriculum Trend :

Learning Just for Fun: The Fall Curriculum Trend 📖

This fall, a new trend is taking over social media: the “personal fall curriculum.” Instead of endless scrolling, Gen Z and millennials are setting themselves a seasonal study plan: three or more subjects to explore just for the joy of learning. From history and art projects to finance, languages, and even Taylor Swift’s songwriting, participants are rediscovering the fun of building their own “back-to-school” routine as adults.

We invite you to explore and discuss this cultural movement with your buddy. This file is not a full session plan — it’s an extra resource to spark conversation about learning and motivation in everyday life.

In this file, you’ll find two versions of the conversation prompt: a simple one and a more advanced one. Choose the level that suits your student and dive into the topic together!

Simple VersionAdvanced Version
  • Read the article and talk about personal curriculum trend using the questions and vocabulary below:

Useful vocabulary:

🔹curriculum – a list of subjects or things to study

🔹degree – a qualification you get after finishing university

🔹scrolling – moving through content on your phone screen

🔹explore – to look at or try something new

🔹curiosity – wanting to know or learn more

🔹pressure – stress from too much work or expectations

Useful sentence starters:

One subject I enjoy is…

People study after school to…

In my opinion, learning is…

If I made my own curriculum, I would choose…

September feels like… because…

Discussion questions:

  • Do you like studying? Why or why not?
  • What was your favourite subject at school or university? Why was this subject your favourite?
  • Do you study or learn something new now? (a language, a hobby, a skill?)
  • Why do people continue learning after school or university?
  • Would you like to make your own “fall curriculum”? Why or why not?
  • If you made a personal curriculum, what 3 subjects would you choose?
  • Do you feel September is a “new start” for you? Why?
  • Review the article and talk about personal curriculum trend using the questions and vocabulary below:

Useful vocabulary:

🔹doomscrolling – spending excessive time scrolling through negative or endless online content.

🔹burnout – extreme tiredness or loss of motivation caused by too much work or pressure.

🔹post-academia rut – a period of feeling stuck or unmotivated after finishing formal studies.

🔹immersive – deeply engaging, involving full attention and participation.

🔹accountability – the responsibility to follow through on goals or commitments.

Discussion questions:

  • What do you think about the idea of creating a personal “fall curriculum”? Would you like to try it?
  • What were your favorite subjects at school or university? Do you still enjoy learning about them now?
  • How is studying as an adult different from studying as a child or teenager?
  • Why do you think people want to continue learning after finishing school or university?
  • Are you currently studying or learning something new?
  • If you made your own seasonal curriculum, which three subjects would you choose and why?
  • Do you agree that September feels like a “fresh start” or a “mini New Year”? What other times of year feel like good moments to start new habits?